Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: sending, from a first system to a second system, a request for a clock value associated with a third system; receiving, from the second system, a clock value associated with the third system and a query clock value determined at the second system; comparing, at the first system, the clock value associated with the third system to the query clock value determined at the second system; comparing the clock value associated with the third system to a predetermined reconnection grace time, in response to determining that the query clock value is less than the clock value associated with the third system; determining that the third system is unavailable in response to determining that the clock value associated with the third system is greater than the predetermined reconnection grace time; and performing one or more predetermined actions at the first system in response to determining that the third system is unavailable.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first system and the third system each include a storage array.
A computer-implemented method for managing data storage systems addresses the challenge of efficiently distributing and accessing data across multiple storage arrays in a distributed computing environment. The method involves coordinating data operations between at least three interconnected systems, where each system includes a storage array capable of storing and retrieving data. The first system and the third system each contain a storage array, while the second system acts as an intermediary or controller to facilitate data transfers, synchronization, or replication between the storage arrays. The method ensures data consistency, redundancy, or optimized access by leveraging the interconnected systems, allowing for scalable and resilient data management. The storage arrays in the first and third systems may operate independently or in conjunction with the second system to perform tasks such as data replication, load balancing, or fault tolerance. This approach enhances reliability and performance in distributed storage architectures by distributing data across multiple storage arrays while maintaining coordination through the intermediary system. The method is particularly useful in environments requiring high availability, such as cloud computing, enterprise storage solutions, or distributed databases.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the second system includes a quorum witness that is in communication with, and maintains a status of, at least the first system and the third system.
This invention relates to distributed computing systems, specifically a method for managing system status and coordination among multiple computing systems. The problem addressed is ensuring reliable communication and status tracking across distributed systems to maintain consistency and availability, particularly in scenarios where systems may fail or become unavailable. The method involves a distributed computing environment with at least three systems: a first system, a second system, and a third system. The second system includes a quorum witness that monitors and maintains the status of at least the first and third systems. The quorum witness acts as a central coordinator, ensuring that the systems can reliably determine operational states and reach consensus on critical operations. This helps prevent data inconsistencies or service disruptions that could arise from system failures or network partitions. The quorum witness may also facilitate communication between the systems, ensuring that updates or status changes are propagated correctly. By maintaining awareness of the operational status of the first and third systems, the quorum witness enables the distributed system to make informed decisions, such as failover actions or data synchronization, without relying on a single point of failure. This approach enhances fault tolerance and system resilience in distributed computing environments.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first system sends the request to the second system using a quorum node within the first system.
A distributed computing system manages data consistency across multiple systems by using a quorum-based approach to ensure reliable communication. The system includes a first system and a second system, where the first system sends a request to the second system to perform an operation, such as updating or retrieving data. To enhance reliability, the first system uses a quorum node—a designated node within the first system that acts as an intermediary for sending the request. The quorum node ensures that the request is properly validated and forwarded to the second system, reducing the risk of communication failures or inconsistencies. This method improves fault tolerance and data integrity in distributed environments where multiple systems must coordinate operations while maintaining consistency. The quorum node may also verify the request before transmission, ensuring that only valid operations are processed. This approach is particularly useful in systems where high availability and data accuracy are critical, such as financial transactions, distributed databases, or cloud computing environments.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the request includes a general request for clock values associated with all systems in communication with the second system.
A computer-implemented method synchronizes clock values across distributed systems to ensure accurate timekeeping in networked environments. The method addresses the challenge of maintaining precise time synchronization in systems where multiple devices communicate but may experience delays or inconsistencies in their internal clocks. The method involves a second system receiving a request for clock values from other systems in communication with it. The request may be a general query for clock values from all connected systems, allowing the second system to gather time data from multiple sources. The second system then processes this request by collecting and aggregating the clock values from the connected systems. This aggregated data can be used to adjust the second system's own clock or to provide synchronized time references to other systems in the network. The method ensures that all systems in the network maintain consistent and accurate time, which is critical for applications requiring precise timing, such as financial transactions, distributed computing, or real-time data processing. The system may also include mechanisms to handle delays or discrepancies in the received clock values, ensuring robustness in time synchronization.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the query clock value includes a value for a clock at the second system when the request for the clock value associated with the third system was received from the first system at the second system.
This invention relates to distributed systems and clock synchronization, addressing the challenge of accurately determining the time of events across multiple systems in a network. The method involves a first system requesting the current clock value from a second system, which in turn retrieves the clock value from a third system. The second system then provides its own clock value at the moment it receives the request from the first system, along with the clock value from the third system. This allows the first system to account for network latency and compute precise timestamps for events occurring across the distributed systems. The method ensures synchronization by incorporating the second system's clock value as a reference point when relaying the third system's clock value, enabling accurate time correlation between systems. This approach is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision timing, such as financial transactions, distributed databases, or real-time monitoring systems. The technique mitigates inaccuracies caused by network delays by using the second system's clock value as a timestamp for the request, providing a more reliable basis for synchronization.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a clock at the second system includes a monotonic clock.
A computer-implemented method for synchronizing time between distributed systems addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate timekeeping across multiple systems in a network, particularly in environments where clock drift or network latency can introduce inconsistencies. The method involves a first system and a second system, where the second system includes a monotonic clock that ensures time values only increase or remain constant, preventing backward adjustments that could disrupt time-sensitive operations. The monotonic clock in the second system is used to generate time values that are then transmitted to the first system, allowing the first system to synchronize its own timekeeping based on the received values. This synchronization process helps mitigate issues caused by clock drift, network delays, or other factors that could otherwise lead to time discrepancies between systems. The method ensures that time values are consistently increasing, which is critical for applications requiring precise timing, such as financial transactions, distributed computing, or real-time data processing. By leveraging a monotonic clock in the second system, the method provides a reliable mechanism for maintaining time consistency across distributed environments.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the clock value associated with the third system includes a value for a clock at the second system when the third system last contacted the second system.
This invention relates to distributed systems where multiple systems synchronize their clocks to maintain consistency. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate time synchronization across systems, particularly when communication between systems is intermittent or delayed. The invention provides a method for a third system to obtain and use a clock value from a second system, even when the third system cannot directly communicate with the second system. The method involves the third system receiving a clock value from a first system, where this clock value represents the time at the second system when the second system last communicated with the third system. This allows the third system to infer the second system's clock state indirectly, improving synchronization accuracy in distributed environments. The method may involve the first system acting as an intermediary, storing or relaying the second system's clock value to the third system. This approach is useful in scenarios where direct communication between the second and third systems is unavailable, such as in partially connected networks or systems with periodic synchronization. The invention ensures that time synchronization remains reliable even under communication constraints.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the clock value associated with the third system and the query clock value are adjusted to account for a random starting point of a monotonic clock of the second system.
This invention relates to time synchronization in distributed systems, addressing the challenge of accurately aligning clock values across multiple systems when one system's clock starts at a random or unknown point. The method involves adjusting clock values to account for this random starting point, ensuring precise time synchronization. The process begins by obtaining a clock value from a third system and a query clock value from a second system. The adjustment compensates for the second system's monotonic clock, which may have started at an arbitrary time. This adjustment ensures that the clock values from the third system and the query clock value are comparable, even if the second system's clock lacks a known reference point. The method may also involve synchronizing time across multiple systems, where each system's clock is adjusted to account for the random starting point of another system's clock. This ensures consistent timekeeping in distributed environments where clocks may not be initialized simultaneously or may have varying reference points. The invention is particularly useful in systems requiring high-precision time synchronization, such as financial transactions, distributed databases, or real-time communication networks.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an amount of time since the third system contacted the second system, in response to determining that the query clock value is greater than the clock value associated with the third system, where the amount of time since the third system contacted the second system includes a difference between the clock value associated with the third system and the query clock value at the second system; comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold time value; and determining that the third system is unavailable in response to determining that the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold time value.
This invention relates to a computer-implemented method for detecting system availability in a distributed computing environment. The method addresses the challenge of determining whether a system is unavailable or unresponsive in a network where systems communicate with each other using synchronized clock values. The method involves monitoring the time elapsed since a third system last contacted a second system to assess its availability. The method begins by comparing a query clock value at the second system with the clock value associated with the third system. If the query clock value is greater, the method calculates the time difference between the two clock values, representing the duration since the third system last contacted the second system. This difference is then compared to a predetermined threshold time value. If the difference exceeds the threshold, the method concludes that the third system is unavailable. This approach ensures that systems can reliably detect unresponsive nodes in a distributed network, improving fault tolerance and system reliability. The method may be part of a broader system for managing inter-system communication and availability monitoring.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more predetermined actions include one or more fail-over operations.
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for managing fail-over operations in a distributed computing system. The system monitors the operational status of multiple computing nodes to detect failures or performance degradation. When a failure is detected, the method automatically triggers one or more fail-over operations to maintain system availability. These operations may include redirecting workloads to alternative nodes, reallocating resources, or initiating recovery procedures. The method ensures continuous service by dynamically adjusting system configurations in response to detected failures, minimizing downtime and maintaining performance. The fail-over operations are predefined based on system policies and historical failure data, allowing for rapid and efficient recovery. The method is particularly useful in high-availability environments where uninterrupted service is critical, such as cloud computing, data centers, or mission-critical applications. By automating fail-over processes, the system reduces manual intervention and improves overall reliability.
12. A computer program product for identifying an availability of a system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method comprising: sending, from a first system to a second system, a request for a clock value associated with a third system, utilizing the processor; receiving, from the second system, a clock value associated with the third system and a query clock value determined at the second system, utilizing the processor; comparing, at the first system, the clock value associated with the third system to the query clock value determined at the second system; comparing, utilizing the processor, the clock value associated with the third system to a predetermined reconnection grace time, in response to determining that the query clock value is less than the clock value associated with the third system; determining, utilizing the processor, that the third system is unavailable in response to determining that the clock value associated with the third system is greater than the predetermined reconnection grace time; and performing one or more predetermined actions at the first system in response to determining that the third system is unavailable, utilizing the processor.
This invention relates to a system for determining the availability of a remote system by analyzing clock values. The problem addressed is the need for a reliable method to assess whether a third system is operational or unavailable, particularly in distributed computing environments where direct communication may be unreliable. The solution involves a computer program product that executes a method to evaluate system availability based on clock synchronization and time-based thresholds. The method operates by sending a request from a first system to a second system, which acts as an intermediary, to retrieve a clock value associated with a third system. The second system responds with both the third system's clock value and a query clock value determined at the second system. The first system then compares these values. If the query clock value is less than the third system's clock value, the first system further compares the third system's clock value to a predetermined reconnection grace time. If the third system's clock value exceeds this grace time, the system is deemed unavailable, and predefined actions are triggered. This approach ensures accurate availability assessment by leveraging time-based checks and intermediary systems to mitigate direct communication failures. The invention is particularly useful in distributed systems where maintaining synchronization and reliability is critical.
13. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein the first system and the third system each include a storage array.
A system for managing data storage involves multiple interconnected systems, including a first system, a second system, and a third system. The first and third systems each contain a storage array designed to store and retrieve data. The second system acts as an intermediary, facilitating communication and data transfer between the first and third systems. This setup allows for distributed data processing and storage, improving efficiency and reliability by leveraging multiple storage arrays. The system is particularly useful in environments requiring high availability and fault tolerance, such as cloud computing or enterprise data centers. By distributing data across different storage arrays, the system reduces the risk of data loss and enhances performance through parallel processing. The storage arrays in the first and third systems may include various storage technologies, such as solid-state drives (SSDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), or hybrid storage solutions, depending on the specific requirements of the application. The interconnected systems work together to ensure seamless data access and management, supporting large-scale data operations with minimal downtime. This approach addresses challenges related to data redundancy, scalability, and performance in modern computing environments.
14. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein the second system includes a quorum witness that is in communication with, and maintains a status of, at least the first system and the third system.
This invention relates to distributed computing systems, specifically ensuring data consistency and availability across multiple systems in the event of failures. The problem addressed is maintaining reliable operation when one or more systems in a distributed network become unavailable or corrupted, which can lead to data inconsistencies or service disruptions. The invention involves a distributed computing environment with at least three systems: a first system, a second system, and a third system. The second system includes a quorum witness that monitors and maintains the status of at least the first and third systems. The quorum witness acts as a central authority to track the operational state of these systems, ensuring that a majority (quorum) of systems remain available and consistent. If a system fails or becomes unresponsive, the quorum witness can detect this and initiate recovery actions, such as redirecting requests or triggering failover procedures. The quorum witness may also enforce consistency rules, such as requiring a minimum number of systems to agree on data changes before they are committed. This ensures that even if one system fails, the remaining systems can continue operating without data corruption or loss. The system is designed to handle partial failures gracefully, maintaining high availability and data integrity in distributed environments.
15. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein the first system sends the request to the second system using a quorum node within the first system.
A distributed computing system manages data consistency across multiple systems by using a quorum-based approach to ensure reliable communication. The system includes a first system and a second system, where the first system sends a request to the second system to perform an operation, such as updating or retrieving data. To enhance reliability, the first system uses a quorum node—a designated node within the first system that acts as an intermediary for sending the request. The quorum node ensures that the request is properly validated and forwarded to the second system, improving fault tolerance and consistency in distributed operations. This method helps prevent data inconsistencies that may arise from network failures or node unavailability, ensuring that operations are executed reliably across the distributed environment. The quorum node may also verify the request before transmission, further reducing the risk of errors. This approach is particularly useful in systems where high availability and data integrity are critical, such as financial transactions, distributed databases, or cloud computing environments.
16. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein the request includes a general request for clock values associated with all systems in communication with the second system.
A system and method for synchronizing clock values across distributed systems involves a first system that receives a request for clock values from a second system. The request may include a general request for clock values associated with all systems in communication with the second system. The first system processes the request by determining the clock values of the relevant systems, which may include the first system itself and other systems in communication with it. The determined clock values are then transmitted back to the second system. This allows the second system to synchronize its clock with the received clock values, ensuring time consistency across the distributed systems. The system may also include a clock synchronization module that periodically updates the clock values of the systems to maintain synchronization. The method ensures accurate timekeeping in distributed environments where multiple systems need to coordinate actions based on synchronized time.
17. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein the query clock value includes a value for a clock at the second system when the request for the clock value associated with the third system was received from the first system at the second system.
This invention relates to distributed systems where multiple systems need to synchronize or compare clock values across different nodes. The problem addressed is ensuring accurate and consistent clock value reporting in distributed environments, particularly when a system (first system) requests the clock value of another system (third system) through an intermediary system (second system). The challenge is to provide a reliable way to track and report the clock value of the third system while accounting for the time delay introduced by the second system processing the request. The solution involves a computer program product that includes instructions for handling clock value queries in a distributed system. When the first system sends a request for the clock value of the third system to the second system, the second system records its own clock value at the moment the request is received. This recorded value (query clock value) is then used to determine or adjust the reported clock value of the third system, ensuring that the time delay introduced by the second system is accounted for. This approach helps maintain synchronization and consistency in distributed clock reporting, reducing errors caused by propagation delays or processing latencies. The method can be applied in various distributed computing scenarios where precise timekeeping is critical, such as financial transactions, network synchronization, or distributed databases.
18. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein a clock at the second system includes a monotonic clock.
A system and method for synchronizing time between distributed computing systems addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate timekeeping across multiple systems, particularly in environments where network latency, clock drift, or system failures can disrupt synchronization. The invention involves a primary system that generates and distributes time synchronization data to secondary systems, ensuring all systems maintain consistent time references. The primary system includes a clock that provides a reference time, which is periodically transmitted to secondary systems. Each secondary system receives this reference time and adjusts its local clock accordingly, compensating for network delays and other discrepancies. The secondary systems may also include additional mechanisms, such as a monotonic clock, to ensure time values continue to increase even if the primary system is temporarily unavailable. This monotonic clock prevents time from regressing, which is critical for applications requiring strict time ordering, such as financial transactions or distributed databases. The system may also include error detection and correction features to handle synchronization failures, ensuring reliable timekeeping across the distributed network. The invention improves time synchronization accuracy and reliability in distributed computing environments, supporting applications that require precise time coordination.
19. A system, comprising: a processor; and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor, the logic being configured to: send, from a first system to a second system, a request for a clock value associated with a third system; receive, from the second system, a clock value associated with the third system and a query clock value determined at the second system; compare, at the first system, the clock value associated with the third system to the query clock value determined at the second system; compare the clock value associated with the third system to a predetermined reconnection grace time, in response to determining that the query clock value is less than the clock value associated with the third system; determine that the third system is unavailable in response to determining that the clock value associated with the third system is greater than the predetermined reconnection grace time; and perform one or more predetermined actions at the first system in response to determining that the third system is unavailable.
The system operates in the domain of distributed computing and network synchronization, addressing the challenge of detecting and responding to the unavailability of a remote system in a network. The system includes a processor and logic that enables communication between a first system and a second system to monitor the status of a third system. The logic sends a request from the first system to the second system, asking for the current clock value of the third system. The second system responds with both the third system's clock value and a query clock value, which represents the time at which the second system processed the request. The first system then compares the third system's clock value to the query clock value. If the query clock value is less than the third system's clock value, the first system further compares the third system's clock value to a predetermined reconnection grace time. If the third system's clock value exceeds this grace time, the system determines that the third system is unavailable and triggers one or more predetermined actions, such as logging the event, notifying an administrator, or initiating a failover procedure. This approach ensures reliable detection of system unavailability by leveraging time synchronization and query response analysis.
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February 18, 2020
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